Trump Threatens Apple iPhone Tariffs In New Interview

President Donald Trump says he is considering expanding tariffs on imported goods from China to include Apple's iPhones and other tech products such as laptops, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

The expansion could come if negotiations at a summit later this week with China's president, Xi Jinping, are unfruitful, the Journal reported.

"Maybe. Maybe. Depends on what the rate is," Trump reportedly said while discussing the possibility of expanding tariffs to iPhones and laptops that are manufactured in China.

Trump reportedly said that "I can make it 10 percent, and people could stand that very easily."

Apple's stock price fell 1.67 percent, to $171.70, in after-hours trading on Monday. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Previously, Apple products including the Apple Watch and AirPods were spared from Chinese tariffs, after concerns were aired by Apple that they would be covered in whole or via certain components by the tariffs.

Apple has said that the tariffs would raise the cost of doing business in the U.S., increase prices of its products for consumers and give a boost to foreign competitors.

Final assembly of Apple products, including the iPhone, is carried out in China.

Trump has repeatedly pressured Apple to manufacture its products in the U.S. In September, Trump tweeted that "Apple prices may increase because of the massive Tariffs we may be imposing on China."

"But there is an easy solution where there would be ZERO tax, and indeed a tax incentive. Make your products in the United States instead of China," Trump tweeted. "Start building new plants now. Exciting!"

Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Trump alluded to his desire for U.S. companies that manufacture products in China to "build factories in the United States and to make the product here."